Re: The deadly legacy of America's fields of gold

Fructose is a sugar that can only be metabolized by the liver, so as such it is "worse" than sucrose (table sugar), which is 50% glucose and 50% fructose. The thing with fruit is that you at least get the vitamins, minerals and fibre as well as the fructose, which makes it a bit better that HFCS on its own. But if you're after weightloss or have a problem with over-eating sweet things you are better to avoid fruit purely because of the sugar (and to be honest, there isn't much in the way of nutrition that you can't get from vegetables anyway!). With honey, depending on how processed it is, you are also getting some trace minerals and goodness to offset the fructose - but personally it is also something I avoid on a regular basis.

It really is a personal thing - I try to avoid sugar in all its forms as much as possible. I do not add it to anything any more (or any other kind of chemical sweetener, either), and I only eat fruit very occasionally otherwise I set off a craving for sweet things, but this is very much an N=1 situation. On the whole, though, I think avoiding sugars is good - and being careful with fruit is also a good idea, too.

Re: The deadly legacy of America's fields of gold

As I wrote earlier there is some research into the differences between how the body metabolizes HFCS and refined white sugar. I will try and find the some relevant reference links.

basic difference as I remember it is that the glucose fructose in refined white is bonded and that bond needs to be broken before either can be absorbed through the gut wall. ( through enzymatic action if I remember properly) .

the fructose in HFCS is unbonded and as such it can start being absorbed higher in the digestive track and faster as the enzymatic action to break down the white sugar doesn't all happen at once.

This doesn't make a whole lot of difference in things like baked goods or other foods but in liquids it can mean that a larger amount of fructose can hit the liver in a shorter time from a drink sweetened HFCS rather than refined white.

I wouldn't take that to mean that refined white is somehow good for you, just potentionaly slightly less damaging in large quantities in soda or other kinds of drinks.

I will see what references I can dig up later when I have time.

edit.. The study was relatively small sample size but here is an article about it at this link

Re: The deadly legacy of America's fields of gold

This is scary stuff, I stopped drinking fizzy drinks a long time ago.Amazing those snack bars Nutri Grain and so on.Yet more reasons to make things your self.Ashen your research is very good, as ever.Great post Danny.

Re: The deadly legacy of America's fields of gold

the issue is not just quantity.it is quality too. berries don´t make people fat. if they did, the fenno-ugric nations would be the most obese people ever. honey, from a farm, not the supermarket and hotel kind, does not make you fat if you live in a cold region. corn syrup - I dont buy processed foods and I am not sure if there is something even near me with corn syrup. but I am seeing a lot of fat people lately in my country and especially men have really lost their shape. it is ugly. they all have this bubble around their belly and it is not from beer. too large quantity of meat in one meal is the estonians´ problem. it is like for most people, meat is the only thing that is called food. a grilling night at Midsummer can have 2 kg of meat per person. I am sure cookies, soft drinks and cereals are becoming a trend as well, but mostly I blame the lifestyle, sitting down, and easy access to food and snacks. you can eat anywhere, any time. Eating is not a necessity, but an addiction and a habit. If they are not eating, they are chewing gum. Their teeth can´t get rest... they need to give constant impulses to their stomach. many doctors are blaming obesity to too much protein as well though, compared to too little fat and fiber. Normal foods contain fat and fiber, processed foods, like zero fat prducts contain sugar INSTEAD and the fat and fiber are taken out. It is not just the sugar, it is malnutrition from the lack of vital nutrients. Imbalance. too much sugar can be easily burned with exercise, but it doesn´ t compensate for the nutrients you don´t get at all, that help your body function.

but yeah. it is worrying how estonians as well have blown out of proportions literally.

Re: The deadly legacy of America's fields of gold

I have a list of foods ranked re the simple sugars they contain and raspberries and strawberries are very low RedFox (equal with coconut, carrots and red capsicum), so I think berries are a good option!

Re: The deadly legacy of America's fields of gold

Hi Danny,

Noticed that you were mentioning Pure White and Deadly by John Yudkin earlier this year, as it was featured in the BBC 2 Documentary.It's actually just been re-issued by Penguin, as it had been out of print for years, so you can get hold of a copy now. And it has an new introduction by one of the medics featured in the programme.

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